Apple Inc.

James W VanDyke

Neal D Evans

Christopher T Eubank

Robert Denton Silfvast

Fletcher R Rothkopf

Grant H Mulliken

Jeremy C Franklin

Andrew M Hulva

Arlen M Hartounian

Christopher R Wilk

Anthony Sagala Montevirgen

Sean Anthony Ramprashad

Jonathan D Sheaffer

Darshan R Kasar

Nikolas T Vitt

A method performed by a processor of an electronic device. The method presents a computer-generated reality (CGR) setting including a first user and several other users. The method obtains, from a microphone, an audio signal that contains speech of the first user. The method obtains, from a sensor, sensor data that represents a physical characteristic of the first user. The method determines, based on the sensor data, whether to initiate a private conversation between the first user and a second user of the other users, and in accordance with a determination to initiate the private conversation, initiates the private conversation by providing the audio signal to the second user.

Private conversations in a virtual setting

A display system includes a head-mounted display unit and a detachable speaker unit. The head-mounted display unit outputs visual content to a user and provides a visual pass-through of a real environment to the user. The detachable speaker unit is detachably coupleable to the head-mounted display unit for providing aural content to the user. At least one of the visual content or the aural content is changed according to a position of the detachable speaker unit relative to the head-mounted display unit.

Display system having an audio output device

A system for user authentication includes an authenticated device with a restricted-access function that a user is able to access in response to verification of an identity of the user by the authenticated device and a proximate device with a restricted-access function that the user is able to access in response to the proximate device receiving authentication data that includes the identity of the user from the authenticated device. The authenticated device is operable to identify an absence of intent of the user to access the restricted-access function of the proximate device, and in response to identifying the absence of intent to access the restricted-access function of the proximate device, emit a locking signal such that, in response to detecting the locking signal, the proximate device enters a locked state and the restricted-access function of the proximate device is inaccessible to the user.

Authenticated device assisted user authentication

An audio component for a head-mounted display system includes a first port through which sound is projected to a user during operation in a first audio mode, a second port through which sound is projected to a user during operation in a second audio mode, an insulator positioned along an acoustic path between the first port and the second port, wherein the insulator is configured to inhibit sound projection along the acoustic path by isolating the first port from the second port, and an earpiece configured to engage the audio component to an ear of the a user, to deliver sound from the audio component to the user, and to reduce ambient noise from a surrounding environment during operation of the audio component in the second audio mode.

Display devices with multimodal audio

A head-mounted device includes a housing assembly and a headband that is connected to the housing assembly and is movable between a use position and a storage position. The head-mounted device also includes a first magnetic component that is located on the headband and a second magnetic component that is located on the headband. The first magnetic component is spaced from the second magnetic component in the use position, and the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are magnetically attracted to each other in the storage position.

Headband for head-mounted device with magnetic components

A head-mounted display includes a display unit, a head support, a power storage device, and one or more receiving coils. The head support is coupled to the display unit and configured to engage a head of a user for supporting the display unit thereon. The power storage device is coupled to the display unit for storing power to be supplied to the display unit. The one or more receiving coils are coupled to the head support for inductively charging the power storage device.

Display system

An optical module for a display system includes a lens, a display screen, a movement mechanism, and one or more pressure-relieving features. The display screen cooperatively defines a chamber with the lens. The lens and the display screen are moved relative to each other by the movement mechanism. The one or more pressure-relieving features are in fluid communication with the chamber to hinder pressure in the chamber as the lens and the display are moved relative to each other.

Display system with optical module having pressure-relieving feature

Authenticated device assisted user authentication includes detecting, by an authenticated device, a proximate device, wherein a user of the authenticated device is currently authenticated to access a restricted-access function of the authenticated device. The method includes performing, by the authenticated device, an intent determination for the user with respect to a restricted-access function of the proximate device. The method includes in response to the intent determination indicating an intent to access the restricted-access function of the proximate device, performing, by the authenticated device, authentication assistance for the user with respect to the proximate device.

A head-mounted display system is disclosed that includes a housing; a visual system associated with the housing to facilitate image and/or video display; a wearable support connectable to the housing; and an audio component pivotably connected to the support such that the audio component is movable between a first position in which the audio component is in general alignment with the support, and a second position in which the audio component is out of general alignment with the support. Movement from the first position to the second position transitions the audio component from a first mode (i.e., an extra-aural mode) in which sound is projected through a first port in communication with a driver to a user to a second mode (i.e., an intra-aural mode) in which sound is projected through a second port in communication with the driver to the user.

Growing community of inventors

Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

James W VanDyke